HERMAN: Acupuncture something to consider

I first wrote about acupuncture in 2005. I believed, along with many others, that acupuncture was voodoo medicine. It was a far cry from the medicine my family turned to when we needed medical help. A family friend, Karen, taught me differently and introduced me to acupuncture treatment in 2008. She used to offer me a "treatment" just to make me feel good or better. In the beginning I did not believe; I was afraid. Needles? No thanks!

Acupuncture as an alternative medical treatment was approved by the FDA in 1996 and in 1997 by the National Institutes of Health. Most states have set criteria for the certification of those who have studied and wish to practice acupuncture. In 1995, about 10,000 folks were practicing healing with needles. Today there are more than 50,000, including some medical doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists.

The course to acupuncture certification is rigorous; it includes special studies after one has taken at least two years toward a bachelor's degree and a vast majority of courses in Oriental medicine. Oriental medicine includes acupuncture, healing herbs, massage and special exercise techniques like tai chi. As in most certified or licensed professions, continuing education is required for certification renewal.

In recent years, since I have understood the benefits of acupuncture, two remarkable professionals have treated me. Karen introduced me to the treatment, worked with me for several years, and then went to Africa to hone her healing skills. I now see an acupuncturist in San Marcos, David, a thoroughly qualified and skilled professional, David has been practicing for more than 25 years. He completed community college in Florida, then he received a four-year degree in Oriental medicine from San Diego's California Acupuncture College. He took advanced studies in anatomy and is certified also in the field of orthopedics.

David has clarified and explained acupuncture to me. There are about 400 different acupuncture points around our bodies, from head to toe. Each point has a therapeutic purpose. In treatment the points are stimulated by the insertion of a fine sterile needle to send a message through the nervous system to the specific organ or tissue that needs help. The term "meridian" refers to the 12 acupuncture channels corresponding to a specific organ or system in our bodies. Traditional Chinese medicine states that
qi
(oxygen/energy) and blood (elements of nutrition) flow through these channels to ameliorate what we call pain, disease or discomfort.

There is some controversy in the scientific community over the endorsement of acupuncture by such organizations as World Health Organization, National Health Service of the United Kingdom, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Current scientific research acknowledges the ability of acupuncture to bring relief to certain types of pain and post-operative nausea; it has proven useful as adjunctive therapy in some cancer treatments. Continuing extensive research is needed.

Years ago, an unnamed friend sneaked into a hospital so she could provide acupuncture before and after her sister's radical breast surgery. The woman's sister never had a moment's post-op nausea and recovered comfortably and well. I am not suggesting this is appropriate hospital behavior, nor does one story make a convincing study.

I have a chronically painful knee; due to my age and my knee's condition of my knee, it cannot be surgically fixed. David knows exactly where to insert a needle and give me at least a week of relief. For me, that beats taking a pill every few hours or even once or twice a day. I visit him regularly for multiple complaints. David massages my aged feet after each acupuncture treatment. Chinese massage is called
tui na
; it stimulates blood flow and increases the flexibility of my feet.

I have a friend whose migraines are effectively eased and reversed with acupuncture. It is known to be helpful in relieving tension and stress when other means fail; peripheral osteoarthritis can be diminished and relieved with acupuncture.

David has done wonders for my ability to get more than a minimum night's sleep. Believe me, the gift of sleep is a wondrous thing. He can do nothing to remove the stress in my life; he cannot fix the economy. He does help with the side effects of stress that worry me into sleeplessness.

Acupuncture is still somewhat controversial. Even though I find it beneficial, others say that it doesn't work. My neighbor's husband thought that acupuncture was the best treatment he ever received; his wife does not find it helpful. For some, it is still voodoo medicine.